Collins back for Rush

BASKETBALL Ballarat system product Annie Collins is back on the Selkirk Ballarat Rush for the upcoming 2021 NBL1 South season.

Collins came off the bench for a combined nine minutes across 15 games in 2019 for the big club while splitting her time with the youth side.

With an eye on senior games, she said she was “excited” about the upcoming season and getting more time with the Rush’s top-level coaching pair.

“I am very excited to be back for 2021,” she said. “I am definitely looking forward to playing under Eric Hayes and Megan Collins.

“I have been exposed to Eric’s coaching for many years now, and he has taught me a lot about the game, so it’s exciting to play under both Eric and Megan who bring so much experience and knowledge about the game.”

Collins is a 169-centimetre guard and Rush head coach Hayes said there were many strong points to game.

“Annie has been connected with the NBL1 South program and youth league program for the last two years,” he said.

“She is a very good defender and has a very nice three-point shot which will be very handy as she steps up to the senior level.

“Annie will be a key player in the youth league side and she will get some opportunities in our NBL1 side as the year progresses.”

For Collins involvement off the court would also be an area of focus in 2021.

“I am also looking forward to getting back and involved in the community, we love it when the community comes to support us on gameday so being able to do the same for them is exciting, especially after the 12 months of not being able to,” she said.

Collins joins recently announced Rush players Alicia Froling, Claire Blower, Claire Constable and Kristy Rinaldi on the team list for the upcoming NBL1 South Season.